Drought stricken areas to get relief

Operation Hydrate aims to deliver over 1 million litres of drinking water to drought stricken areas.

As residents from Senekal in the Free State battle the worst drought in years, a humanitarian organisation has distributed more than a hundred thousand litres of water to the community. Picture: Operation Hydrate Initiative SA/Facebook

JOHANNESBURG - NGO Operation Hydrate says it hopes to deliver over one million litres of drinking water to drought stricken areas by the end of the week in a bid to help desperate South Africans affected by severe water shortages.

Some 350,000 litres have already been distributed to affected towns in the Free State and Eastern Cape as the country battles the worst drought in more than two decades.

Operation Hydrate was formed by a group of volunteers following urgent calls for drinking water by several desperate communities.

Coordinator Yaseen Theba says the situation on the ground is distressing.

"We cannot sit idly and watch our fellow South Africans die of thirst. As civil society we have the power to make a difference and help those in need."

He says communities expressed immense joy and gratitude in Senekal when trucks filled with water arrived to provide them with much needed relief.

"Water is life and together we are making a difference in the lives of the people."

Theba says the goodwill and generosity shown by South Africans from all walks of life has been remarkable.